And now I present to you...my weekend.
I went shopping on Saturday. It was joyful. I had a PINK coupon for free undies with the purchase of a PINK item from VS, and $5 off any hoodie. Naturally, I bought a green hoodie that says Pink Mustangs on the back, a little nightie with rosebuds on it, and some more sweet lounge pants that have elastic so they sit around the knee sort of like baseball trousers, only without all the complication. My free undies have stripes.
I also went and bought a tee shirt at Forever 21 that is cream-colored and has a bird made out of words on it. I found it on the website on recon, and then had to look at basically every tee shirt in the store before I found it, about ten feet away from where I'd started my search and where a shop girl told me it would probably be in the back. The shirt was three feet away from her, as it turns out, though under a set of different shirts altogether. There were only two left, which suggests they probably had more at one point, which suggests the girl does not know their stock very well.
I also went to Hot Topic, which at this point remains the only place I have been to that has any Harry Potter memorabilia. I know that's hard to believe, but it's true. I bought two tank tops with Gryffindor and Order of the Phoenix pictures, and some new Magic Notebooks for conferencing. I was very excited about this.

I returned home and got some groceries, preparing for an experiment in stirfry. The challenge? Tofu. Cook's had info on this, and I tried it, and let me just say--it didn't work out as well as I'd hoped. The glaze they suggested tasted good, but the prep method was too much mess for me, for a product I was dubious of anyway. Certainly, the chunks were reasonably crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, but...is that really what I want out of a stirfry? Out of a meat substitute? The answer is no. Tofu will never be one of my favorites, and it will never replace chicken.
I will note that the veggies, which I did with a sweet chili sauce, were very delicious and taste extra nice over couscous, which cooks up a lot faster than rice (I was running late last night).

In other news, shark week started yesterday on The Discovery Channel, and I watched rather a lot of it while I was working on albums, or rather, taking pictures out of albums and putting them in new ones or putting them in piles to figure out where they're going to go. The moral of this story is, if you're planning to stop by, don't expect to find a place to sit. I really wanted to watch Ocean of Fear, but it was on at the same time as Miss Marple, so I'm hoping they play it again.

And that is pretty much it. Good, eh? Now, I have a book about putting poetry collections in order and can't wait to do some real work on this myself.

Beer Happy

Let's talk a little bit about my day yesterday.
First, I was alerted to the fact that I had another poem accepted, this time in Pearl, which is pretty rad.
Now, as I noted in my myspace blog, this means I get a treat, usually a nice dinner and a shopping expedition of some type. So, since I'd finished up some Hamburger Helper yesterday afternoon, last night seemed like the logical time for special dinner. I was a little up in the air; I thought perhaps Poco Piatti carryout, but I'd been meaning to try South Side 6 for a while, because I do love gyros. My laziness won, and so did South Side 6. I checked out their menu online and also noted that they say they have a lot of imported beers. So I thought, why not? Stimmel's hasn't been able to get Blackthorn Dry Cider in yet, despite their regular supply of Lambic. I thought I'd look, and if not, see if they had a bottle of something else delicious to have with dinner.
And would you believe that, as I was scanning the shelves, noting that they also have my Lambic, there it was! Blackthorn, right there on the end.
I scooped up three bottles, bought a gyro and some rice pudding (I was going to get two gyros with the Thursday special, but it turns out those things are massive, so I'm glad I didn't), and couldn't supress my glee at the register as I bounced around at the finding of my London find. See, that's what I had that night I was starving and ate at a pub. It was so refreshing, and I was really hoping I could get it in America. And now I can! Woot!
Dinner was great. I made some feta-tomato-olive salad to eat with some pita chips I had, ate half a gyro and some rice pudding, and saved the rest for my post-run dinner tonight.
I also finished my dupioni skirt, while I was at it. It's pretty :) The hem sucks, but I think if I press it properly you won't be able to tell from outside.
I'm a little conflicted now, because I will need to patronize both Stimmel's and South Side 6 to support local businesses that have alcohol I enjoy. But it was also pretty awesome to just see what I'd been searching for right there on the shelf.

And then it stormed.

In other news, I am still working fo' reals on my poetry manuscript, and I am anxiously awaiting a book of essays all about putting such a thing in order. I see that the library has received the Ohiolink stuff, but I have to wait for an email. I half want to go over there and just make them dig through everything to gimme my book! (Did I mention that I actually said "gimme gimme gimme" to the mailman when he brought me my book? Because I did. Out loud.)

If you're a channel flipper like me, and you pause frequently in the general arena of the Discovery Channel, then you may be familiar with a little show called How It's Made. I landed there this afternoon, and boy, I was not disappointed, because I enjoyed a five-minute lesson on how sanitary pads are made.
Yes, an even, engaging male voice informed me that they were invented as a result of World War I, and that the cellulose and something else I can't remember are mixed and molded into pads of different shapes, thicknesses, and sizes depending on the rate of menstrual flow. I watched the machines at work in total fascination, and then that blessed man informed me that to put on the pad, one has to remove the adhesive tabs from the back of the pad, and from the sides, which are called "wings."
All humor aside, I was pretty fascinated by the machines that do this essential work...so many parts. It reminded me of Edward Scissorhands' house, or the make-breakfast machine in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Whoever designed that machine, I hope he or she gets drinks bought for him or her on a regular basis.

I had to laugh as, one by one, each of my heavily reading, fellow Potter fans emerged blurry-eyed and content but exhausted from their days in seclusion. How do I know? Because each of us wrote essentially the exact same thing on our blogs, in different ways. I was the only one who brought up Muggle-Repelling, though.

In other news, I got some more prints of my niece and am enjoying putting together a little brag book! Finding photo pages is proving difficult, so I'm using a cute little album I bought, very simple, for the time being. The kid is cute, believe me.

Finite Incantatum

The Muggle-Repelling charms I cast over myself through the weekend are officially lifted as of 11:30 this morning. I'm still a little far inside my own little world right now, as I usually get when I read nonstop for ages, but it is safe to speak to me again. I might not be able to see you though, my eyes being what they are just now, which is tired.

On Your Mark...Get Set...

It's almost time! The laundry is done and will be folded and put away tonight. Potato salad will be made. Dishes will be washed. Cherries will be washed and chilled in the fridge. Self will be jogged and washed super-clean. House will be tidy...okay, maybe not that last one.
I will be up as early as possible for me and staring out the screen door, watching for Mr. UPS. Come to me, O fateful book!

HP 5 for the first time

Carrie has given an accurate rundown of our eventful trip to see HP 5, so I won't rehash it here. Suffice it to say that I need to see the movie again in less distracting conditions.
There were specific things that jumped out at me that I either liked or disliked, which is normal, but I couldn't really get an overall impression of how much I liked the adaption. Obviously, I liked it, but I don't know where it stands on the overall schema of HP films. As in, I will buy the DVD, but I am not sure how often I will watch it in comparision to others yet.
Some impressions: They put in my absolute favorite part of dialogue from the book, which is the "emotional range of a teaspoon" part, and there were a few sets that absolutely perfectly lived up to my vision, while others were different but pleasantly surprising.
I'm not sure I enjoyed the representation of Grimmauld Place...does anyone else have that problem? I know that they wanted to make it claustrophobic, but even so I was expecting something more psychological, and still a mansion. The Family Tree rocked, though.
I am unsure about the physical representation of Grawp. Also, I felt that Umbridge's role took over the movie too much. It became too much about her rather than about the power struggle and the tension. I recognize that subtlety isn't always possible in a film, of course, but I would have rather seen it be a bit slicker, particularly in regard to her interaction with the staff. Her character itself, though, was very well represented by Staunton, as was her office and everything that goes on there. She was just in too many scenes by herself, or taking over them too much, even considering her growing influence. Just too blunt.
On a more positive note, how much do I love Ginny's character? I love that she has become this small but fierce, creative and destructive force. I thought her role was nicely balanced. I loved seeing the DA in action, and even though he's mean, Filch and Mrs. Norris always bring a smile to my face. Especially when he's sneaky-walking (which reminds me--I thought of that during the film, and then had a dream about sneaky-walking, which is a Bob Fosse dance thing that I happen to do well).
Regarding the duel: Loved the coordination of it, hated when they were sort of flying around in smoke form. What was that? To me, that spells effects cop-out. I liked it much better when you could see the characters battling it out, which was far more impressive.
Did anyone else notice how much Percy Weasley looks like a gangster? Was that intentional?
Also, did anyone else's heart sort of melt when Fred and George were trying to comfort that kid? I heart them.
I will also note that, having recently been to London, I got an extra big kick out of seeing it in the film. I was IN that Underground station, for goodness sake.
So, that's it. As you can see, I have some things to puzzle over and re-view, literally, but I was able to gather up a number of good impressions as well.
And now, the re-reading of HP 6 continues as I prepare for zero hour. Tomorrow, Meijer for stocking the house, Friday, the preparation of food and mild cleaning. Saturday, it's on.

Has anyone had this happen?: Normal-seeming mosquito bites, but then they turn very dark red, and look exactly like a strawberry birthmark? I can't figure it out...usually I get plain or pink welts in Michigan and small red bumps in Ohio, but these just seem weird.

It's a beautiful day out, but I am not having a very good day. How can this be?

More Culinary Adventures/Fireworks/Smores/Quilting/HP

So, I have some eggs, and for once I'd like to use all my eggs before the date stamped on the carton. I start looking for recipes that are egg related in a cookbook that my aunt gave me, which has some rather fancy dishes in it. I'm thinking about terrines, but then I find this recipe for leek, chicory, and nut pancakes.
I have no leeks, nor chicory. But I do have some summer squash and zucchini I'd frozen, half a bag of frozen pepper stir fry, and some leek and morel cheese. Doesn't that sound good?
So I made the pancakes, which were actually more like crepes, except they had corn meal in with the flour and chili powder, and I also added a couple shakes of cinnamon just to be a little crazy. I'm a pretty decent crepe maker for a total amateur. I flip when I can, and while they occasionally get overbrowned, they also taste good. While this was going on I sauteed the vegetables and cubed the cheese, as instructed--because even though I'm completely changing a recipe, I still like to do what it says. And when the pancakes have cooled and softened, I put some of the veggies and cheese on each one, folded it, put it in a baking dish, then threw it all in the oven for fifteen minutes at 400.
Result? Awesome. I'm telling you, it was good. I ate a little too much, to be honest, but since I was about to walk to the fireworks, it really didn't matter.
I had four leftover pancakes, and last night I slathered them in butter and cinnamon sugar, chopped up some frozen peaches, and did my best to whip up some cream (it really didn't work), assembled it all, and ate half for dessert. These pancakes, you see, work both as a savory dish and as a "pudding" as the Brits would call it.
It was awesome.

So, this year I went to the fireworks. It's the first time I actually went further than a parking lot a few blocks away since I have been here. In fact, I went all the way to the hill outside the rec center and sat there, in the grass, smiling and laughing like a little kid. They were pretty neat, and it helped that I was far enough away that they weren't right over me, but close enough so I could see everything. Special favorites included the golden fountainy one, the one that looked like pistils shooting out of a flower, and everyone's favorite, the huge one that looked like it was disappearing and then came back as millions of gold dots. There were also a few that weren't splashy to look at, but that were obviously incredibly well timed. There's a lot of artistry to firework creation, and I had plenty of time to reflect on that.

After that, I got a call from Carrie, and headed over to enjoy sparklers, S'mores, and their awesome firepit. How relaxing is that?

Today, I finished the quilt I've been working on and handed it off to the dry cleaner (fingers crossed, as always), so now I'm free....FREE!...to work on my skirt if I want. My poofy, pretty, blush-colored Dupioni skirt. Or, take a night off. Whatever.

As Carrie notes, the HP countdown continues. I'm now reading HP 6 in preparation for book 7 to arrive on my doorstep (oh my gosh! what if it rains that day! aaaah!) but I can't wait until the movie next week, either. I've been thinking a lot about these two things, and I'm quietly slavering for both. I have purposely avoided almost all articles about movie 5 and book 7. It's a slow start to my temporary drop off the planet.
The preparation begins.

Pictures...I got pictures...I got stacks and stacks of pictures.
268 of them, to be exact, all the best of one and a half years of digital camera ownership, plus some extras from friends.
And because Meijer was having a sale, they were 10 cents each.
Woot!
Now...albums. I want to try to make some using some of my favorite fabric remnants as covers. Because I don't have enough projects to do!
Yippee!

The first of the "pantheon" gets married

On Saturday I trekked out to Chicago for the wedding of one of my dear college friends, a woman of strong will, brains, and achievement, from whom I learned a lot about respect for myself and disregarding what others think of me, even if I couldn't always apply these lessons. She looked amazing in a silky, creamy gown, with a long chiffon "veil" worn across the back of her head. The service was conducted by a Father and a Rabbi, which sounds like the beginning of a joke, perhaps more so when you learn that their names were Michaels Michelini and Sternfield respectively. They told a few jokes, actually, and the whole service was lighthearted. I sat with another one of our small group, Holly, both of us on our own, which seemed best because we so often were in college. We reminisced big time and snuck jokes back and forth. We "represented," if you will.
Did I mention the wedding was in the gigantic Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of U of Chicago?
After the service, Holly and I went to the Oriental Museum and a coffee shop, and we wrote out a little joint card with an extra memento for the bride, then arrived at the buffet reception. We sat next to another of Lis's MSU friends, whose name we recognized, and we all chatted through dinner and cake. Highlights of the reception included watching Lis and Phil in the traditional chair dance (Horah?) and hearing that, if we wanted, we could have cake cut in any shape we wanted. We chose rectangle.
Long about 8:30, Chicago time, I decided I was ready to go. It was a good party, and the dancing was going on, but I felt satisfied with the day, and I wanted to drive back home. I said goodbye to Lis and parted from Holly, and off I went. It was a nice drive, and I even got to see a firework. I got back around 1:30 Ohio time.

Through all of this, I got lots of chances to think about those years in college and some of our gatherings since. So much happened--we were living all on the same singles dorm floor, and I was so grateful for these girls because we all had our eccentricities and we were all able to spend time with each other despite how busy we were. We kept each other from getting lonely, and we took care of each other when we were troubled. I remember one day I'd had it up to wherever and was desperate for sleep, and I snapped at them for chatting outside my closed door. Later, Lis totally called me on it while I was working on choreography ...it was like an intervention. But it gave me a chance to apologize and describe to them how completely overwhelmed I was feeling, rather than continuing to clamp down on it. I needed these girls to keep me from drawing into myself. I can't imagine what I brought to them, but I hope I at least offered something. We had such ridiculously fun times together, and I remember so many of the things we did as if they happened last week. Pool games with henna drying on our skin, making chicken-flavored rice and orange cinnamon rolls in the kitchenette, drinking wine coolers and margaritas, attending hockey games, going to the Renaissance Festival and horseback riding, playing Life during Finals Week...the list goes on forever. My favorite times were when we all gathered in someone's room, and watched TV or a movie, eating, drinking, and laughing, dishing about boys and our floormates. I was so sad when Lis and Holly graduated, and Elisa moved into an apartment, and Em was long gone. I was so busy senior year that I didn't have much social time, but in the quiet moments I missed those girls tons. It was a joy to watch Lis get married, and I hope it won't be too long before we can all see each other again.
3 Mason Rules!

Secret obsession

Okay, it's not that exciting, but I am just a little obsessed with reading the trivia on imdb.com for movies I enjoy or have seen repeatedly. Do you do this? Where else can you find out that Prof. Umbridge's office carpet cost 50000 pounds to make? Or that in Lemony Snicket Emily Browning had to wear heels because Liam Aiken grew so much? Or that, in AVP, the ice cutter is named Piper Maru after an X-Files episode named after Gillian Anderson's daughter? All in one convenient location?

ATHF + Baby Boom/Paternal Awesomeness

Gah! Even Master Shake suddenly had a child for a 12-minute episode! Why? WHY?
Steve, you almost got texted in desperation at 12:16 last night, to help me cope.


In other news, my Dad rulz.

I know, two posts in one day.
But I thought you deserved to know that I found my little reward for my poetry.
Trying to solve a big sewing problem yesterday, I went to two Joann Fabrics stores. Whilst wandering around the second with what I hope will solve the problem, as well as about a yard's worth of remnant peach shantung, I came across some Dupioni silk in a lovely, subtle shade of blush. It was, I believe, 19.99 a yard, which is completely extravagant for my standards, but I held the Golden Ticket: 50 % off coupon.
I was going to get a yard or two, and then I was trying to talk myself out of it, such was the expense, so I went to look at patterns--no pattern, no fabric would be the rule. But then I found this great skirt pattern, which included a drawstring skirt and listed shantung as a potential fabric, which is similar enough. I know, I know...drawstring with 20 bucks/yard, 100% Dupioni silk? But I thought it would look adorable and I got excited. Then, I couldn't find the pattern. I looked it up in the book again, and sure enough, I'd copied the number down incorrectly.
All this adds up to the obvious: I wanted the fabric.
And I bought 4.5 yards. Half-off. You do the math.

Medicating

I'm a little shirty about this. In order to "assist BGSU employees with weight loss, smoking cessation and education on a variety of wellness topics" the HR department folks "have already begun planning an employee wellness day and other wellness-related events."
I'm sure that sounds very nice, but honestly I'd rather they just give me free entrance to the rec.
The rec's fee is probably lower than a standard gym (it's $110 per semester), but to be frank nothing turns me off healthy exercise more than paying for it (and, uh, sorry, parents, because I know dance wasn't cheap). Once, I wasted 80 bucks paying for a summer rec pass. I went, like, six times. If you pay per day ($5), that's 30 bucks. I guess if you're going to go swim often, it would be worth it, but I can't face that price.
This, I believe, is at the heart of the reason why I have been jogging outside in the summer, even though I don't really enjoy running all that much. So I thought, anyway.

Things may be changing--your little Avacious is, for the first time in her life, using an asthma inhaler.
As my nurse practitioner says, they're shrinking away from "exercise asthma" labels now because, if you are experiencing symptoms, then you have asthma, regardless of when it rears its head. For years, after exercise, I have often felt wheezy...not usually actually wheezing (well, maybe a little), but feeling that need in my chest. It wouldn't matter whether I was in what I'd consider good shape (dancing regularly) or not (jogging after a five-month break). I also get winded more quickly than I'd consider normal, even in peak condition. And of course, there's the allergies. I asked my NP, "Is there anything I can do, short of drugs?" She said no, but wrote me a scrip so I could "think about it." I didn't have to fill it, but I could if I wanted.
So I did.
This from the girl who thinks taking Advil requires a laborious decision-making process.
Yes, I went straight to the drugstore and got the inhaler. Then I tested it. On Monday last, pre-inhaler, I did my first run of the summer, stopped to talk to people twice, stopped to walk twice, and barely made it. On Friday, after the inhaler, I made it my whole route and didn't even feel like stopping once, and I even threw in an 85 percent sprint toward the end. My lungs outlasted my legs, which is unusual. Last night's run wasn't quite as successful, but I still made it without stopping, and my breath came back to normal pretty fast.

Could it be that what I thought was a questionable, occasional small problem was actually a very mild but persistent condition I didn't notice except when provoked by allergies, smoke, or running? Could it be that medicating said condition will greatly improve my lung capacity, since it will reduce labored breathing and give me a chance to "catch up"? Could it be that I actually enjoy running, just not breathing hard?
I don't know, but to be honest I'm a little excited about it.

Cook's comes up with the goods

So, I've been meaning to make this rustic plum cake recipe from the most recent issue of Cook's Illustrated. A few weeks ago I made the blueberry scone recipe, and the scones tasted awesome, and I was ready to try the cake on the next page, only when I was at the grocer--no plums. But this week, plums in the house, and time to make plum cake, whether I had someplace to take it or not. Then, on the day I was going to make it, I got a call that a gathering of friends was taking place, so I knew fate was on my side.
The recipe isn't super-complicated, except that part of the flour is ground-up slivered almonds. And the plums have to be cooked in a delicious syrup beforehand (in which Frambois Lambic was substituted for brandy. Because then I get to finish the bottle of Lambic). I was a little concerned that my springform is 10 inches instead of the 9 required, and time was a bit short for cooling the cake.
But only half a piece was left after the first hour I was at the gathering.
I tasted it--it was pretty nice, and it went down great on a warm summer evening. I actually had honest-go-goodness requests to make it in future.
So, there you go. Plum cake and jello shots are my specialities now.
And, my Mom suggested I also try it with peaches.
Good on you, Cook's. Way to contribute to my repertoire.

On another note, I had a poem accepted by RHINO. Hooray! Am currently trying to come up with something small and celebratory for myself, as is my custom.

Report

Point one: My niece is adorable. She is funny in particular when she is waking up and trying so hard to open her eyes. I think she is a genius, and she loves Raggedy Ann already at four weeks. She also loves the sound of water, sleeping in her sling, and eating. My sister and I took her shopping twice. The first day she slept in her sling pretty much the whole time, which made having a snack at Brewed Awakenings pretty easy. The second day she was cool with the yarn store, but not terribly keen on not eating while her Mama shopped in the bead store. When she is awake, she stares at your eyes with a little crinkle in her forehead like she's working you out. She smiles when you stroke her cheek. We can't figure out which parent she looks more like. She is a very long and strong baby, and she can already do a superman at the doctor's office. I miss her. She makes me smile, even when she frowns.
Point two: I had a pretty good drive to get out to Wisconsin.
Point three: The SS Badger, on a windy, high-swell day, made me so sick one of the crew took pity on me and made me lie down in one of the rooms. Yes, I couldn't find my Dramamine so could not take it beforehand, which may have made a difference. Yes, I am ashamed and embarrassed, and wondering what the heck happened, because I've only been mildly seasick twice in my whole life, Dramamine or not. Yes, before I lay down I'd been planning to stand on the freezing, windy deck for four hours because I felt 100 times worse down below. Yes, when I got warm blankets put on me I shivered uncontrollably for an hour and a half. Yes, my car had a better time than I did on the ferry. Yes, I feel terrible because I want to support the enterprise and the friendly staff, but I don't know if I could try that again. But don't let me stop you. Just be sensible and take some drugs.
Point four: I got to spend the night with my Granny in Crystal Valley, recovering, listening to the wind, taking a walk around the yard, picking some asparagus, and wriggling into the quiet, creaky barn through a loose board. It was very restorative.
Point five: I was able to be very helpful at dance recital; the stage manager and I have a neat synergy backstage, and she's so organized it makes my job of crisis control and dancer-guiding easy. Mr. Mark's theme this year was 007, and everything seemed unusually tight and entertaining. A cancan skirt went flying, but it's all fun.
Point six: I got to go read on the dock for a bit, like old times, getting sunburnt, but enjoying the peace and birdsounds of the lake.
Point seven: My Dad and I had an intense discussion about poetry scansion.
Point eight: My Mom and I conducted tutorials on the computer-photo-printer.
Point nine: I arrived back home to an almost-empty fridge and the desperate need to do laundry.
Point ten: Looking at a super sunny week. Hooray!

Avacious, where are you?

...carrying an angel
...hearing sweet little sighs
...sinking hands deep in piles of wool
...crossing a lake
...sneaking into a barn
...sending little spies onstage
...coming home soon

Good Haul

Yesterday I went shopping with my buddy Tessa, up to Franklin Park. We hit five of the most girlie stores (in order: Victoria's Secret, Windsor, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and Wet Seal), and tried things on in every one. I think we both bought things in every one, too. We returned home six hours after we left, each of us heavily laden with parcels. And you know what? No buyer's remorse. Not for me, anyway. I like everything I bought and am excited to wear everything. I forgot how fun it is to just marathon clothing shop with a girlfriend, and how it helps you make decisions. There is a dress I'm not absolutely positive about simply for occasion's sake, but Tessa really liked it, and if someone ever asks me out to dinner, I'll be good to go.
Items purchased by me include:
bras and undies (duh)
pair of VS Pink shorts
3 dresses
zip short-sleeve hoodie with strawberries
black blazer with scoop collar
jean skirt
jeans
t-shirt with birds
cotton black and white blouse
wooly hat that matches a scarf I have (3 dollars!)
pink t-shirt that says I Love the Queen (which I made the girl take off the mannequin!)
Pink jellies!
We also had pretzels!
Day=awesome